“The IB Programme is not only going to put you in a better position for college applications, but it will put you in a stronger position to do well in college because it really focuses on the skills you need to put you at a higher level,” Mr. Loren Baron explains. Mr. Baron is the IB Diploma Programme coordinator and a strong supporter of its purpose and benefits. The IB Programme is an international curriculum where students are encouraged to become globally-mindful and are advocated to approach thinking in more than one way. The IB Programme is considered to be challenging, enlightening and life-changing, although many students may choose to label it with one word: hard. Even with the intimidating associations with the program, many Millbrook students have taken advantage of the opportunity.
The IB Programme has many classes available that are exclusive to the program, including IB Theory of Knowledge and IB World Religions. These classes are unique courses that cause you to think in different ways and expand your knowledge of your world and your impact on it. IB World Religions teacher, Mr. Beller, explains, “Students should be prepared to engage in discussion and discourse that will challenge their worldviews and cause them to think and reflect on how they define and confine someone based on their religion and culture.”
What makes the IB Diploma Programme so successful is its extension of learning beyond the classroom. When a student signs up for IB, they do not just agree to take specified classes; they also agree to better themselves in their health, creativity and community through CAS hours, an acronym standing for creativity, activity and service. They also write something called an Extended Essay. For an Extended Essay, IB students pick a question junior year involving one of their classes and go into extensive research on it, immersing themselves into the self-chosen curriculum and becoming an expert on the topic. Senior Jenna McMains admits, “I didn’t think the Extended Essay would be that hard. Even if you pick something really interesting, it’s still a lot of work.” Luckily, IB students get an abundant amount of support from their teachers to help them succeed in their rigorous curriculum.
IB students may all have conflicting opinions on topics they cover in school, but most of them will agree on one thing: the IB Programme allows the students to become a family. Junior Emiliano Maltrana expresses, “You definitely are struggling with all of the work, but everyone else is struggling with you.” The family aspect is something that differentiates the IB Programme from many other opportunities available to high schoolers. Obviously, no program is perfect for every student’s learning style, but if the IB Programme interests you- even in the slightest- make sure you talk to Mr. Baron by February 24 to get information on a program that could possibly change your life.